"Response to a letter that an "unnamed member" of the LHSH addressed to me"/ Balla: Politics and religion have their place

2026-07-13 17:16:00, Aktualitet CNA

"Response to a letter that an "unnamed member" of the LHSH

The head of the Socialist Party Parliamentary Group, Taulant Balla, has shared on his social networks a public response to what he says is an anonymous letter sent to him by "an unnamed member of the League of Hoxhallars of Albania."

Balla writes in his post that he has never intervened and has never requested from the Muslim Community of Albania the dismissal, removal or punishment of any imam, mufti or religious cleric. According to him, this claim made in the anonymous letter addressed to him is untrue.

Among other things, he states that he rejects language that he describes as threatening, while emphasizing that politics and religion each have their place and that "references to punishments in this world or the next serve neither civic dialogue nor religious faith."

Balla states that anyone who makes such accusations must base them on evidence and facts.

Full post:

PUBLIC LETTER-RESPONSE to an anonymous public letter that an "anonymous member" of LHSH has addressed to me

Dear Sir or whoever is hiding behind the lines of the anonymous letter addressed to me,

Peace be upon you.

I read your anonymous public letter and, beyond its tone, I feel obligated to respond to you calmly.

First, I declare in the most categorical manner that I have never intervened and have never requested from the Muslim Community of Albania the dismissal, removal or punishment of any imam, mufti or religious cleric. This claim is untrue.

If you have even a single piece of evidence that supports this accusation, make it public. Otherwise, I invite you to withdraw it, because no one has the right to smear another with insinuations.

Secondly, I reject the threatening language that permeates your letter. References to punishments in this world or the next serve neither civil dialogue nor religious belief. Politics and religion each have their place, and I have always respected the autonomy of religious institutions, just as I respect every believer in this country.

If you want to support your argument on the Islamic religion, then we must remember a fundamental principle of it: a believer never accuses without proof. The Holy Quran severely condemns slander and false testimony, because they violate the honor of a person and poison the life of the community. Faith is not built on conjecture, but on truth; not on innuendo, but on facts.

There is also a paradox that I cannot help but point out. You reproach me for allegedly interfering in political matters in matters of religion, while your letter itself is a political act. You choose to publish it to raise accusations without evidence, but you do not even choose to put your name under it. Anonymity is not civic courage; it is the easiest way to throw mud without taking responsibility. Anyone who believes that they are defending the truth has no reason to hide behind anonymity.

Therefore, the choice is simple:

Either present evidence for the accusation you have made, or face your own reflection as a slanderer. This is not only an obligation to the truth, but also to the very religious principles you call upon for support.

Albania is a country where freedom of religion is sacred and where the state does not interfere in the lives of religious communities. This has been and remains my belief, and will continue to be, despite every attempt to poison the public debate with anonymous and unfounded accusations.

May Allah illuminate your path of reason and grant you health.

TAULANT BALLA

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Below is the letter:

Public letter to MP Taulant Balla

Dear Mr. Taulant Balla,

I am addressing you publicly regarding my concern about your involvement in issues related to mosques, imams and muftis, by sending names and requests to the Albanian Muslim Community for the dismissal or removal of clerics who, according to you, have positions against you or against the political interests you represent.

Although I am younger than you, I come from a family with early contributions to this country, generation after generation, and I feel compelled to give you some advice: do not seek confrontations with religious clerics and do not interfere in matters of faith. History has shown that those who have confronted people of religion and believers have found no peace either in this world or in what many people believe will come after it.

I understand that you may have different beliefs about life and faith, but respect for religion, religious institutions, and believers should be an important principle in a democratic society.

I also want to remind you that Albania is a country with history, identity and many sacrifices. Regardless of the relations or interests that may be built with other countries, this country cannot be treated as anyone's property nor be transformed into something that violates the identity and interests of Albanians.

All power is temporary and every man, regardless of the office he holds, must be held accountable for his actions. Justice and truth, sooner or later, give everyone what they deserve.

With respect for my country and with the concern of a citizen,

UNNAMED. /CNA